Tag Archive for: fear

Are you tiptoeing through the tulips?

We need ๐›๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ!
Over the last few days, I have heard several stories about individuals that have been bold and the consequences of their actions.
Those stories have inspired me to be bolder.
Frequently Iโ€™ve thought; โ€œI need to be bolder!โ€
๐ƒ๐จ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐œ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ž๐ซ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ž๐ฅ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐จ ๐›๐ž ๐›๐จ๐ฅ๐?
๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ โ€“ โ€œnot hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff; courageous and daring.โ€
Other words for boldness: fearless, adventurous, brave, valiant, intrepid, valorous, dauntless!
For the Star Trek fans out there, we donโ€™t need to โ€œboldly go where no man has gone before,โ€ we simply need to “๐›๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ ๐จ!”
Hang on a minute however, I know a little about fear, and you probably do too.
Is it simply about laughing in the face of fear?
I believe that everybody has the ability to be bold, but many of us just have to dig deep to find it.

Tiptoes

Recently, whilst reading through a book on the life of M. Russell Ballard, I loved his words of encouragement, which were not to โ€œtiptoe through the tulipsโ€ but rather to be bold in our actions and conversations.
Are you tiptoeing through the tulips?
Far too often we hold back and play safe in life.
On the other hand, being bold, while both frightening and challenging at times, is essential to living a true and fulfilling life.
Boldness is about stepping up and stepping out onto our edge in lifeโ€”pushing the limits of what we think is possible or even appropriate.
I was reminded on Friday of one of my favourite little poems by the English poet, Christopher Logue.
Come to the edge.
We might fall.
Come to the edge.
It’s too high!
COME TO THE EDGE!
And they came,
and he pushed,
And they flew.
Iโ€™ve decided – It’s time to fly! (again)
What does being bold mean to you?

Face the Fear!

โ€œArenโ€™t you a little nervous?โ€ asked the missionaries. โ€œNot reallyโ€ I said, โ€œwell maybe a tiny wee bit!โ€
And off we strode to stand out front of the theatre in Amsterdam yesterday.
What a hoot we had, talking to those exiting the theatre. It was fun. I really enjoyed myself as I talked with many people about their experience.
Several times I was invited to see the musical, โ€œit is great entertainment,โ€ said many.
Entertainment โ€“ โ€œthe action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment, or diversion provided especially by performers.โ€
My response was โ€œno thank you, perhaps youโ€™d like to read the book instead.โ€
The official church statement about the musical reads:
โ€œThe production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change peopleโ€™s lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ.โ€
The Book of Mormon certainly changed my live โ€“ forever!
I met Tom, a production assistant, touring with the show. We talked for a while, and I shared a copy of the Book of Mormon with him.

Face the Fear

I was overwhelmed by the fearlessness of all the missionaries. With faith they were able to quiet their hearts in the midst of the confusion and uncertainty in the moments that followed.
It is a daunting task!
Yet, each one of them with great courage spoke to the very best of their ability, addressing complete strangers, over and over again.
To young men and women everywhere โ€“ have faith against fear, faith with great courage and conviction in Him who will not forget us or leave us alone.
All missionaries teach and testify of our Saviour โ€“ Jesus Christ.
In General Conference yesterday, President Russell M. Nelson said; โ€œHis gospel is the only answer when many in the world are stunned with fear. We have the sacred responsibility to share the power and peace of Jesus Christ with all who will listen and who will let God prevail in their lives.
The spiritual darkness in the world makes the light of Jesus Christ needed more than ever. Everyone deserves the chance to know about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Every person deserves to know where they can find the hope and peace that โ€œ[passes] all understandingโ€ (Philippians 4:7).โ€
If youโ€™ve seen the play, then Iโ€™d suggest you may want to read the book, as I know the Book of Mormon changes lives for the better, and it can change yours too.

Fear

I’m usually always very confident, but on this occasion I was terrified!

Last week on our visit to Gouda, in the Netherlands, parking the car proved to be a terrifying experience. A few hours earlier, I’d picked up the rental car at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Whilst searching for a parking space, we could only find a few spots by the canal. There were no barriers on the actual canal to stop you from reversing into the water! I started manoeuvring the car into the parking space, my heart started to pound harder, then fear took over. In fact, it was terrifying. I realised parking this large car (which I’d barely driven) with its electronic handbrake – wasn’t easy. One wrong move – and we’d all be in the canal.

All I could see was the cliff edge of the canal! My imagination went into overdrive. Although I’d reversed into smaller spaces 1000’s of times before, the looming danger of the canal created additional terror. One by one family members said “Okay, I’m getting out”.

Then, our son Kyle came to the rescue. He got out and provided careful guidance, from different perspectives around the car. Little by little, bit by bit, he guided me into a safe position. With great relief, I stepped out, job done.

– Perspective & Focus
– Careful guidance by others
– Small Steps
– Little by little

All help to overcome fears!